Photo Flash: Faith Prince, Tommy Tune and More at Andrea McArdle's 50th Birthday Celebration

On Saturday night, November 2, the Broadway community, family, and friends came together to celebrate the 50th birthday of the legendary Andrea McArdle. The birthday was a complete surprise to McArdle who was brought to the party by friend Tommy Tune under the impression that they were meeting Carol Channing for dessert! Scroll down for photos!

McArdle (who's actual birthday is today, Tuesday, November 5th) was born in Philadelphia. In 1977 Andrea captured the nations hearts as the plucky redheaded orphan in the Broadway smash Annie. As "Annie," McArdle became the youngest performer ever to be nominated for a Tony Award as Best Lead Actress in a Musical. Also on Broadway, she starred in the Jerry Herman musical Jerry's Girls with Carol Channing and Leslie Uggams; she portrayed the sassy Smoking Car, Ashley, in Andrew Lloyd Webber's Starlight Express; and starred as Margy Frake in State Fair; as Fantine in Les Miserables (and on tour as Eponine) and as the longest running Belle in Disney's Beauty and the Beast.

Recent theatre credits include a guest role in the off-Broadway hit NEWSical, the title role in Jerry Herman's Mame, several stints as Miss Hannigan in Annie, and the release of her most recent CD "70s and Sunny: Live at 54 Below".

Photo Credit: Michael D'Angora

Andrea McArdle and Alexis Kalehoff

Annie Pops

Andrea McArdle

Banner

Birthday Cake

Andrea McArdle

David Lewis and Andrea McArdle

Faith Prince and Eddie Varley with Andrea McArdle

Andrea McArdle and Faith Prince

Felicia Finley and Alexis Kalehoff with Andrea McArdle

Jim Caruso, Susan Mosher and Company

Jim Caruso, Andrea McArdle and Mary Calanan

Andrea McArdle

Michael D'angora and Tom D'Angora with Andrea McArdle

Michael West and Andrea McArdle

Andrea McArdle and Mike McArdle

Andrea McArdle and Perez Hilton

Rick Crom and Tom D'Angora

Seth Rudetsky

Seth Rudetsky, Andrea McArdle and Rick Crom

Andrea McArdle and Susan Mosher

Tommy Tune and Guest

The Party